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I was somewhat confused by the match feedback on the forum and newspaper given what I have been observing since the Gold Cup, I.e., development of a team structure and tactics that can incorporate any player. How could that evolution have so abruptly changed since the last match I saw v. New Zealand. Then I saw the tape on the link posted earlier and got reassured that the feedback was the typical knee jerk reaction to a loss. The much vilified midfield provided one of the most outstanding defensive display I have ever seen from a Jamaican squad. They won back the ball almost immediately for 80 percent of the ENTIRE game. So dominant were they that the back line almost had no work to do all night not to mention the goalkeeper. In transition, they were also extremely impressive as they made outlet passes to tightly marked players who for the most part kept possession with much improved first touch our accurate possession passing. There were a lot more planned attacking plays that resulted in numerous high percentage shots albeit with poor execution. If there was a deficiency, I would say it was the lack of consistency in the creative midfield role although Daley showed a lot of promise. I think a Hue or Kelly or maybe one of the more composed English players that I don't know can remedy this problem. I am not privy to the coaching staff's thinking but I am confident from what I have been seen that they appreciate the necessity of having the right blend of players in the critical midfield area -- players who will hound the opponents to win back possession, who will not stand around when their opponents make forward runs instead of chasing back before those runs are even made. People, watch the game again without the passion and you will see that amazingly our defensive shape was never compromised. This consistency against admittedly weak competition is a new feature of the program. I am very optimistic that the team will do very well in qualifying as long as all of the players selected are willing to conform to the template being developed. Did you notice how many chances were created for Fuller in the first half without him having to go on solo runs. Did you notice how the right side attacks deteriorated when Humphries came on until he realized that part of his role was to hustle back into the required defensive zone so that he would be closer to Virgo when we won the ball.. I won't try to address all of the criticisms I read before I saw the game but just let me say that I was never more shocked by a disconnect between reviews and actual events.
Jahesty my review did touch on many of the positives you've said. Especially the defensive work of the midfield. I think the problem that most have is that alot of our creative play was strangled in the womb by inaccurate passing from Virgo, Laing, Ewan Grandison, Senior and Shelton. The fluency would have been more if these guys had better pass completion percentages.
The overall shape and positioning of the team is not a disaster. Neither was their tackling back. I saw them force Panama to turn back countless times.
Overall it still wasn't positive, though. At times it was painful. Good to see a really optimistic assessment.
Finally! A voice with a true perspective without emotional attachment. I was basically making the same point to several cynical co-workers today. Funny how articles from an outside perspective have more faith in our Reggae Boyz than our own.
The 2014 World Cup draw: Goal.com experts give their opinions on who will make it to Brazil With some games having already taken place, it is now clear what each country will have to do to qualify for the 20th World Cup finals in Brazil in June and July 2014.
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Truth be told this is one of the first games I saw where Fuller was actually getting service and didn't have to create for himself. To me Daley didn't produce and looked the odd man out there in midfield. many are saying Senior looked like crap, but he looked good to me.
JJ, I'm going to watch the game again without the passion of a fan and then re-asses.
ASSISTANT coach Alfredo Montesso told reporters following the Reggae Boyz's uninspiring performance against Panama in a friendly international at the National Stadium on Sunday that the main reasons for the defeat was a lack of chemistry and a lapse in concentration.
The Brazilian trainer said although they were organised defensively during the 1-0 defeat, they lacked concentration and the team was not at its best as an attacking threat as the players are still understanding each other.
[Hide Description] Jamaica’s Ewan Grandison (left) and a Panamanian player chase a loose ball during their friendly international match at the National Stadium on Sunday. Panama won 1-0. (Photo: Garfield Robinson) [Restore Description] 1/1
"We have been receiving the players during the week and we have been training with the team at Braco (Hotel)... We were training and trying to build chemistry and we had a game in Montego Bay against Guyana and that was a time to establish the chemistry coming into this week," he said.
"But some of the players were concerned because they travelled a lot to get here and it (team chemistry) was a concern to us, so we tried to work on those players to get them ready for the game.
"But we didn't play a good game, although (goalkeeper Dwayne) Miller didn't make a single save... and we created chances and missed some opportunities.
"We felt a little lack of chemistry in the team, because some of them are playing together for the first time...," said Montesso after the game.
He also pointed to the lack of concentration which led to the goal, noting that at this level, one will pay dearly for such lapses.
"The problem... was the lack of concentration on the corner kick... we had the control of the game, but they (Panama) had good ball possession... we paid the price at this level of football," he said.
However, he believes with more experienced players coming into the squad, they will improve for the return game in Panama City on Friday.
He said Dane Richards had already arrived and players such as Jevaughn Watson and Ryan Johnson were coming in as well.
"So we have good options to work with the team," he added.
However, the team could miss the experience of Montreal Impact goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts who was expected in, but got injured during his team's MLS match against the Colorado Rapids on Saturday.
"I think that the team will build something better and we have another 20 days to get into our first (World Cup) game and time to adjust, and I think we are on the right way," he said.
Meanwhile, Montesso said he was pleased with the way the team kept its shape and closed down spaces in midfield, and giving 19-year-old Ewan Grandison a passing grade for his role in centre midfield, he argued that they will need a more experienced figure for that role.
"Butter (Grandison) is only 19 years old, but I think he plays with a lot of maturity. At the beginning of the game he was a little nervous, but after 20 minutes he settled down and gave a good game in the middle.
"But we will have to reinforce that (position), and we will have (Rudolph) Austin, who has some more experience in the middle and so I think we will have some more things for the next game," he reasoned.
The Brazilian added that their creative sparkle was also missing on Sunday and as a result, they pulled Keammar Daley after 45 minutes and tried to use speed instead to get behind the Panama defence.
"We transformed the team and put three strikers upfront with Luton (Shelton) and Ricardo (Fuller) and I thought we were more aggressive in that situation and it worked better in the second-half.
"But we have said that the (lack of) creativeness was because of the characters of our players which is mainly velocity and speed. Most of those players in their clubs... work a lot with speed," he said.
"We have players who did very well in the game... but we really need to work on that creativeness in the middle of the field so that we can give more opportunities to our players in front," he added.
Meanwhile, the veteran coach said the most important thing is how the players reacted to the defeat. He said the defeat has hit them hard enough for them to give an appropriate response on Friday.
"The players felt really bad losing the game and they are really committed to correct that," he said. "So we can look for a better pace in our next game and I think that me and Theodore (Whitmore) in the next few days will discuss... but what we expect in the next game is giving some more basic things to the team
"... I think we are in the right direction and we have to believe in what we are doing with the team," he said.
The team is scheduled to depart the island this evening at 6:00 on a direct flight to Panama City. Officials accompanying the 20 players are Sheridan Samuels (head of delegation), Walter Gama (technical director), Theodore Whitmore ( head coach), Alfredo Montesso (assistant coach), Armando Bracali (goalkeeper coach), Andre Waugh (physical trainer), Carlton Fraser (team doctor), Juan Pablo Camargo ( masseur), Norman Stone (equipment manager) and Nodley Wright (press officer).
Squad for return friendly in Panama: Demar Phillips, Rohan Reid, Marlon King, Xavian Virgo, Claude Davis, Jevaughn Watson, Luton Shelton, Dwayne Miller, Ricardo Fuller, Donovan Ricketts, Chris Humphrey, Dane Richards, Damion Stewart, Joel Senior, Keammar Daley, Ewan Grandison, Rudolph Austin, Ryan Johnson, Nyron Nosworthy and Adrian Mariappa.
Thanks for the insight Jahjesty, nice to know you are still around. I watched the game and was a little perturbed by the reaction on the site and the reaction "ovasuh". Panama had one clear shot on goal and made use of it (bad marking by the #20). However, I thought the team played a decent game and were undeserving of the reaction they received from the fans at half-time and the end of the game.
Since Tappa took over the Jamaican team I have seen a lot of improvement with regards to how our players approach games and their attitude on the field. Hopefully, the JFF is taking note also and allow Tappa to continue the job.
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Jahjesty,
Good mawnin sar! Now, its is with great antisipation and curiousity that ask, why a man of yur accumen and experience is not in some capacity with the JFF? I think its a waste, but its only my opinion. I bet many others that have been here for a while share similar sentiments.
I have always alluded to the Boyz performance as a thing comomg together and I did not think they played awful as many are saying. I actually like the mindset they have. They defended well. Joel Senior's performance was not great, but it was credible. A few times his passes did not come off, but I will give it the benefit of the doubt.
Defensively, I think we did better han average. I see now great cause for the panic attack. Its for us to address the weaknesses we have and that AGAIN is MIDFIELD! Kemar is NOT ready and I WOULD NOT TAKE HIM WITH MY SQUAD! ITs extra money that we don't have for his accommodation. He should stay home and rethink his role in tghe team and have a mentor/technicakl person work with him individually with film and any other aid to upgrade.(MY OPINION)
Offensively, Shelton is not efficient with his chances and has erned his way to the lower end of the pecking order in our forward line-up. All in all the team will show up this Friday. We as a people have great pride and the patriotism will push our team to perform at its best. 2-0 we will win! Jj, mi a wait pon yu ansa!
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I wouldn't put too much stock in any article that has the US ranked above Mexico, especially one that incorrectly states that the US beat Mexico 2-0 in the last GC final. Americans writing about soccer is like Eskimos writing about the Sahara desert; it's not their area of expertise.
Based on performances SINCE the 2011 Gold Cup, I would say Jamaica is about 6th in Concacaf right now. However, in terms of available talent we are a solid #3 and maybe even ahead of the US. Funding and organization have mitigated our success against the 2 big guns however. Hopefully, we can use the WC qualifying to solidify our rightful place in the region.
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I read Montesso's assessment this morning and was pleased to see that it reflected most of what I thought. I think he was being a bit defensive by using chemistry as the excuse. I believe a Hue would have linked up way better with the forwards than the developing Daley. I also believe a King/Fuller starting front duo would have provided more offensive punch in the first half instead of a struggling Shelton. I don't believe Senior and Fuller have played much together but I didn't see them having a problem in the forays down the right.
The team's challenge is to find the right mix in the top six in time for Guatemala. I would fix the Daley position immediately and start the deadliest strikers based on either game form or practice showings. But, whatever they do, they should not throw away the basic shape of the team.
Long time no see Jah...welcome back...Your impression of Errol Stevens in that attacking midfield roll would be greatly appreciated. Please pull no punches!
How is the re-development of KK going...?
_________________________ Truly great madness cannot be achieved without significant intelligence
I was somewhat confused by the match feedback on the forum and newspaper given what I have been observing since the Gold Cup, I.e., development of a team structure and tactics that can incorporate any player. How could that evolution have so abruptly changed since the last match I saw v. New Zealand. Then I saw the tape on the link posted earlier and got reassured that the feedback was the typical knee jerk reaction to a loss. The much vilified midfield provided one of the most outstanding defensive display I have ever seen from a Jamaican squad. They won back the ball almost immediately for 80 percent of the ENTIRE game. So dominant were they that the back line almost had no work to do all night not to mention the goalkeeper. In transition, they were also extremely impressive as they made outlet passes to tightly marked players who for the most part kept possession with much improved first touch our accurate possession passing. There were a lot more planned attacking plays that resulted in numerous high percentage shots albeit with poor execution. If there was a deficiency, I would say it was the lack of consistency in the creative midfield role although Daley showed a lot of promise. I think a Hue or Kelly or maybe one of the more composed English players that I don't know can remedy this problem. I am not privy to the coaching staff's thinking but I am confident from what I have been seen that they appreciate the necessity of having the right blend of players in the critical midfield area -- players who will hound the opponents to win back possession, who will not stand around when their opponents make forward runs instead of chasing back before those runs are even made. People, watch the game again without the passion and you will see that amazingly our defensive shape was never compromised. This consistency against admittedly weak competition is a new feature of the program. I am very optimistic that the team will do very well in qualifying as long as all of the players selected are willing to conform to the template being developed. Did you notice how many chances were created for Fuller in the first half without him having to go on solo runs. Did you notice how the right side attacks deteriorated when Humphries came on until he realized that part of his role was to hustle back into the required defensive zone so that he would be closer to Virgo when we won the ball.. I won't try to address all of the criticisms I read before I saw the game but just let me say that I was never more shocked by a disconnect between reviews and actual events.
"...Finally arriving to the top flight?" Not so fast JahJ, not so fast.
Such declaration only warranted when we have the likes Hoilett (who appear to have declared for us) Or a McAnuff standing up in our creative middle.
The top ConCaCaf teams are figuring us out that we are weak in the middle. And now with the advent of Reid & Grandison we are too green in the middle. In the heat a the battle it's hard to think these two I've mentioned will be able to stand and deliver. I'm hoping they prove me wrong.
JahJ with a Panama side missing 6 regular starters I'm hardly impressed except when our regular starters came on at half time and that's when we began dominating Panama. that group which started will not cut it for us. Montesso himself said we were lacking some creativity in the middle. Keamar playing with low confidence showed, and was not effective has he had being previously.
I was somewhat confused by the match feedback on the forum and newspaper given what I have been observing since the Gold Cup, I.e., development of a team structure and tactics that can incorporate any player.
Jj you know where Fan-atics are concerned the same moute wey sey Yes, is the same moute wey sey No. Yes if yu win, No if yu lose. Simple equation.
I am not worried, your observation relative to "development of a team structure and tactics that can incorporate any player" is on point. The Coach went about his job using a deliberate and egalitarian methodology and in the end a Balla will not be able to say he neva got a chance.
The concern I have is one of chemistry. His method though effective does not allow him the luxury of consistency because of the Coach's player rotation method; in the end, the team will be dominated by the foreign experienced players and I hope he selects 14 core players soon.
I look for a better game on Friday and a win in Panama. Tappa if you are reading this, give JCR a call, he could fit very well into your system.
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Our football is on a solid foundation and we have to continue to build because we have some youngster who are developing nicely. Our technical staff now need to challenge our top professionals to take their game to a higher level, we must be ambitious, united, intelligent, and courageous.
"Even if we had defeated Panama i still would have concerns, one part of your observation should be the defination of insanity! JFF continueing to do the same "Bull Shiza", and expect different results, and that is what is pissing us off. Run to England about two or so months before qualifications to recruit players, when that should have been done well in advance to give time to forsee any potential problems, ie. "Midfield".
"... Run to England about two or so months before qualifications to recruit players, when that should have been done well in advance to give time to forsee any potential problems, ie. "Midfield".
Well said my youth. This chemistry thing should have been worked out eons ago. Not now when qualifiers is just days away. What were doing from 2011 Gold Cup until now... absolutely nonsense!
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I appreciate Jahjesty's assessment as an astute scholar of the beautiful game. I have watched 30 minutes of the game (did not view all of the game on the video links) and have come up with my own assessment.
The positives: I saw that the defensive shape of the team was much better than what was evidenced in the last game against Guyana (though they were a weaker opposition). The team restricted panama's forward movement and opportunities. this may be a combination of good defensive work as well as a Panamanian team who are playing with greater caution away and therefore restrain their enthusiasm for offensive movements. Another positive I noted was that the defenders kept possession of the ball and made a midifeld pass instead of booting the ball upfield each time they got the ball. this is a significant improvement as one will be chasing the game often if one resort to long passess that bypass the midfield.
Areas for improvement: I find that there was not enough creativity displayed by the midfielders when they had the ball to get it to the forwards. The forwards did not make a lot of runs to provide the midfielders with the opportunity to make that defense splitting pass. Thus, this create a scenario where the passess were predictable and easily picked off by the opposing team. another area for improvement is the support and movement going forward. I did not see the triangular shape midfield and passing, getting through tight spaces, and spreading the ball quickly to wide spaces to disrupt the shape of the other teams defensive structure. The team needs to work on its shape moving forward. We may beat the Caribbeans teams and some Central American teams with our immaturity in those areas, but we will struggle with the more established North American teams and Central American teams (Costa Rica, Honduras, and Panama).
I will add this comment... Our Jamaican coaches have always struggled with coaching that part of the game. Alfredo Montesso should help and I hope that the Brazil camp provides some opportunities to work on these things as well.
